The Aesthetic Impact of Aging Wooden Surfaces in Interior Architecture: A Comparative Evaluation of Patina

Öz

This study aims to comparatively examine the relationship between the visually and documentarily identifiable material characteristics of wood patina and the spatial-aesthetic qualities associated with its different modes of formation. Patina is considered not merely as a consequence of physical aging, but as a multidimensional design phenomenon understood through the material–time–design relationship. Three cases were examined through a qualitative comparative multiple-case study based on systematic visual and document analysis: 58 Kent Street (Kickstarter Headquarters), representing natural patina; Fujiya Inn, representing designed patina; and Salvaged Ring Coffee Shop, representing heterogeneous patina associated with reclaimed materials. The analytical framework evaluated color transformation, surface texture and weathering, traces of use, material continuity and authenticity, aesthetic character, and spatial-aesthetic and atmospheric indicators. The findings reveal distinct characteristics among the three modes of patina formation. Natural patina is characterized by the preservation of temporal traces embedded in existing materials; designed patina by the interpretation of temporality through deliberate design decisions; and heterogeneous patina by the coexistence of reclaimed materials with different material histories. The study suggests that patina can be understood not merely as physical deterioration, but as a design phenomenon that makes visible the relationship between material history, temporality, and design. The proposed typology provides a conceptual and adaptable analytical framework for comparing different modes of patina formation rather than a universal classification. In this respect, the study contributes to contemporary interior architecture by providing a systematic basis for reconsidering material aging within adaptive reuse and material continuity approaches.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Patina
• Wooden material
• Spatial aesthetics
• Adaptive reuse
• Material aging

İç Mimarlıkta Ahşap Yüzeylerin Yaşlanmasının Mekânsal Estetik Üzerindeki Etkisi: Patinanın Karşılaştırmalı Değerlendirilmesi

Öz

Bu çalışma, ahşap yüzeylerde farklı biçimlerde ortaya çıkan patinanın görsel ve dokümansal olarak tanımlanabilen malzeme özellikleri ile mekânsal-estetik nitelikler arasındaki ilişkisini karşılaştırmalı olarak incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Patina, yalnızca malzemenin zamanla geçirdiği fiziksel değişimlerin bir sonucu olarak değil, malzeme–zaman–tasarım ilişkisi içerisinde değerlendirilebilen çok boyutlu bir tasarım olgusu olarak ele alınmaktadır. Bu kapsamda, doğal patinayı temsil eden 58 Kent Street (Kickstarter Headquarters), tasarlanmış patinayı temsil eden Fujiya Inn ve geri kazanılmış malzemelere dayanan heterojen patinayı temsil eden Salvaged Ring Coffee Shop, sistematik görsel ve belge analizine dayalı nitel ve karşılaştırmalı çoklu vaka araştırması kapsamında incelenmiştir. Geliştirilen analitik çerçeve doğrultusunda renk dönüşümü, yüzey dokusu ve aşınma, kullanım izleri, malzeme sürekliliği ve özgünlüğü, estetik karakter ile mekânsal-estetik ve atmosferik göstergeler değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgular, üç patina oluşum biçiminin ortak analitik ölçütler altında farklı yüzey özellikleri, malzeme sürekliliği biçimleri ve mekânsal-estetik göstergeler sergilediğini ortaya koymuştur. Doğal patinada mevcut malzemenin zamansal izlerinin korunması, tasarlanmış patinada zamansallığın tasarım kararları aracılığıyla yorumlanması, heterojen patinada ise farklı geçmişlere sahip geri kazanılmış malzemelerin bir araya gelmesi öne çıkmıştır. Sonuç olarak çalışma, patinanın yalnızca fiziksel bir bozulma durumu olarak değil, malzeme geçmişi, zamansallık ve tasarım arasındaki ilişkiyi görünür kılan bir tasarım olgusu olarak değerlendirilebileceğini ortaya koymaktadır. Çalışmada önerilen doğal, tasarlanmış ve heterojen patina tipolojisi, evrensel bir sınıflandırmadan ziyade farklı patina oluşum biçimlerinin karşılaştırılmasına yönelik kavramsal ve geliştirilebilir bir analitik çerçeve sunmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Patina
• Ahşap malzeme
• İç mekan estetiği
• Yeniden işlevlendirme
• Malzeme yaşlanması

Kaynakça

1. Ano, D. (n.d.). Ginzan Onsen Fujiya. https://kkaa.co.jp/en/project/ginzan-onsen-fujiya/, Erişim Tarihi: 15.01.2026.
2. ArchDaily. (2014). Salvaged Ring/A21 Studio. https://www.archdaily.com/519120/salvaged-ring-a21-studio, Erişim Tarihi: 01.02.2026.
3. Archello. (n.d.). Salvaged Ring. https://archello.com/project/salvaged-ring, Erişim Tarihi: 09.02.2026.
4. Arquitectura Viva. (2026). Ginzan Onsen Fujiya, Obanazawa, Kengo Kuma. https://arquitecturaviva.com/works/hotel-ginzan-onsen-fujiya-6, Erişim Tarihi: 10.01.2026.
5. Bowen, G.A. (2009). Document analysis as a qualitative research method. Qualitative Research Journal, 9(2), 27-40. https://doi.org/10.3316/QRJ0902027
6. Böhme, G. (2017). Atmospheric architectures: the aesthetics of felt spaces. London: Bloomsbury Academic.
7. Bullen, P.A., & Love, P.E.D. (2011). Adaptive reuse of heritage buildings. Structural Survey, 29(5), 411-421. https://doi.org/10.1108/02630801111182439
8. Burnard, M.D., & Kutnar, A. (2015). Wood and human stress in the built indoor environment: a review. Wood Science and Technology, 49(5), 969-986. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00226-015-0747-3

9. Cogulet, A., Blanchet, P., & Landry, V. (2016). Wood degradation under UV irradiation: a lignin characterization. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, 158, 184-191. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2016.02.030,
10. Denzin, N.K. (2009). The research act: a theoretical introduction to sociological methods. London: Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315134543
11. Designboom. (n.d.). Kengo Kuma renovates 'Ginzan Onsen Fujiya', a 100-year-old hot spring hotel in Japan. https://www.designboom.com/architecture/kengo-kuma-ginzan-onsen-fujiya-hot-spring-hotel-japan-01-23-2021/, Erişim Tarihi: 05.01.2026.
12. Douglas, J. (2006). Building adaptation. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann.
13. Dula, S. (2023). Kickstarter’s HQ asks $25M as remote work takes a toll on city offices. https://nypost.com/2023/05/31/kickstarters-reimagined-brooklyn-headquarters-asks-25m/, Erişim Tarihi: 10.01.2026.
14. Fell, D.R. (2010). Wood in the human environment: restorative properties of wood in the built indoor environment (Doctoral Thesis). University of British Columbia, Canada.
15. Frampton, K. (1995). Studies in tectonic culture: the poetics of construction in nineteenth and twentieth century architecture. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
16. Griffiths, A. (2014). Salvaged Ring coffee house by A21 Studio is built from scrap wood. https://www.dezeen.com/2014/07/04/salvaged-ring-coffee-house-a21studio-scrap-wood-vietnam/, Erişim Tarihi: 05.01.2026.
17. Groat, L., & Wang, D. (2013). Architectural research methods (2nd Ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
18. Ingold, T. (2013). Making: anthropology, archaeology, art and architecture. London: Routledge.
19. Jokilehto, J. (1999). A history of architectural conservation. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann.
20. Keržič, E., Lesar, B., & Humar, M. (2021). Influence of weathering on surface roughness of thermally modified wood. BioResources, 16(3), 4675-4692. https://doi.org/10.15376/biores.16.3.4675-4692
21. Koren, L. (1994). Wabi-sabi for artists, designers, poets & philosophers. Berkeley, CA: Stone Bridge Press.
22. Kropat, M., Hubbe, M.A., & Laleicke, F. (2020). Natural, accelerated, and simulated weathering of wood: a review. BioResources, 15(4), 9998-10062. https://doi.org/10.15376/biores.15.4.Kropat
23. Leatherbarrow, D., & Mostafavi, M. (2002). Surface architecture. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
24. Pallasmaa, J. (2012). The eyes of the skin: architecture and the senses (3rd Ed.). Chichester: Wiley.
25. Patton, M.Q. (2002). Qualitative research and evaluation methods (3rd Ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
26. Pearson, C.A. (2007). Ginzan Onsen Fujiya by Kengo Kuma and associates. https://www.architecturalrecord. com/articles/12328-ginzan-onsen-fujiya-by-kengo-kuma-and-associates, Erişim Tarihi: 20.01.2026.
27. Plevoets, B., & Van Cleempoel, K. (2019) Adaptive reuse of the built heritage: concepts and cases of an emerging discipline. London: Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315161440
28. Rose, G. (2016). Visual methodologies: an introduction to researching with visual materials (4th Ed.). London: Sage Publications.
29. Ruskin, J. (1903). The seven lamps of architecture. London: George Allen; New York: Longmans, Green and Co.
30. Teacă, C.A., Roşu, D., Mustaţă, F., Rusu, T., Roşu, L., Roşca, I., & Varganici, C.D. (2019). Natural bio-based products for wood coating and protection against degradation: a review. BioResources, 14(2), 4873-4901. https://doi.org/10.15376/biores.14.2.Teaca
31. Terrapin Bright Green. (n.d.). Kickstarter commercial headquarters, ole sondresen architect, Brooklyn, NY. https://www.terrapinbrightgreen.com/report/biophilic-design-case-studies/
32. Weiss, L. (2023). Kickstarter’s HQ asks $25M as remote work takes a toll on city offices. https://nypost.com/2023/05/31/kickstarters-reimagined-brooklyn-headquarters-asks-25m/, Erişim Tarihi: 20.01.2026.
33. Yin, R.K. (2018). Case study research and applications: design and methods (6th Ed.). SAGE Publications.
34. Zumthor, P. (2006). Atmospheres: architectural environments, surrounding objects. Basel: Birkhäuser.